Modern browsers are changing how we interact with the internet, but at the cost of one of their most underrated features ever—and I’m not happy about it.

Why Are Browsers Dropping New Tab Pages?

The new tab page was usually considered a browser’s dashboard. You’d see a search bar, bookmarks, shortcuts, and perhaps a calendar or to-do list. However, this dashboard means you’re not looking at any website when you open your browser.

Browser makers increasingly see this as a non-essential hurdle between you and the internet. Removing the new tab page and putting a search bar that opens your default search engine means you get to your search result or a particular website as quickly as possible.

This zero-click idea isn’t always the best thing, however. Sure, it might save you a couple of seconds, but different browsers use this opportunity to populate new tab pages with their suggestions, news stories, and more, hoping to get a few clicks.

Another reason for dropping the new tab page is design. Browsers like Arc and Zen, which are designed to have as few distractions as possible, don’t play well with a navigation interface sitting between you and your content. Thankfully, Zen lets you restore the new tab page, but if you’re using Arc, you’re out of luck.

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You know what websites (or search engine) you’re going to visit, so putting the URL bar in the spotlight makes sense. This also means you end up using the search engine more, which is an added benefit for whatever search provider you’re using.

The internet has become more targeted than it once was. It’s a fundamental shift from the internet being more of an exploratory experience to a more targeted and search-oriented interface. In such cases, having an entire page that you can skip by just having a search bar makes the new tab page redundant, or so the browser makers think.

The Zero-Click Ideology Isn’t for Everyone

A zero-click experience tries to provide a seamless experience by removing all distractions and providing everything you need when you open an app or program. I’ll admit that opening a tab only to decide where to go next can be inefficient.

It has its benefits, but the zero-click ideology isn’t for everyone, and definitely not for me. The new tab page in your browser is a lot like your Windows or macOS desktop. You don’t spend a lot of time on it, but it is the main navigational hub and the “home screen” of your PC.

Microsoft or Apple can remove the desktop from their OSes, and you’ll likely still be able to do everything you want with your PC without any issues, but I doubt it would be a great experience.

When using Arc, my daily driver for well over a year before I gave up on the browser, I am forced to go to whatever site I need to access. This takes away the convenience of having my task list within the browser, forcing me to keep another app open.

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You’ll also lose any customizations, shortcuts, and bookmarks you’d like to keep handy. Chrome, Edge, and other browsers have a dedicated bookmark bar, but if you want big, easily-clickable shortcuts, the new tab page is your best option.

The Benefits of Having a Home Page in Your Browser

As you can probably tell by now, a home page or a new tab page in your browser has certain benefits. You can set up shortcuts, show stats, add a background, or use third-party extensions to completely change its looks and functionality.

I also feel that new tab pages are better for productivity. Having quick access to all your important websites and online tools without dealing with a browser user interface element is a massive time saver.

The new tab page, especially with the extensions I use, lends my browser a bit of personality. I use Momentum for my home page, and it lets me deck out the new tab page with to-do lists, a clock, my main task, and a random quote that changes daily. There are even more customization options if you get the paid version.

Something is reassuring about opening your web browser and seeing a familiar page, especially if you’re like me and do most of your work in a browser. It’s a small touch, but it makes a massive impact for something as significant as a web browser.

Overall, axing the new tab page is a one-size-fits-all approach in a world where everyone’s browsing habits might differ. Sure, it gets you faster results, and you might even prefer it, but it largely ignores habits and preferences people might have picked from decades of using new tab pages.